As “Destiny” would have it, two new entrants made it onto the list of most popular baby names in the city last year – while the namesake of Beyoncé Knowles’ R&B group dropped in the standings.

Nicholas and Isabella both broke into the Top 10 list of baby names in 2002, replacing Kevin and Destiny in the rankings, according to the city Department of Health annual survey.

The post-9/11 baby boom seemed to be more fiction than fact, as 122,987 children were born in the five boroughs in 2002 – a 1 percent drop from the previous year.

The baby-name leaders of the pack remained the same, with Ashley topping the charts for the 11th straight year.

The mayor’s in good company with his name – Michael was the most popular boys’ name for an astonishing 15th consecutive year.

Fernando (as in Ferrer) and Gifford (as in Miller) were nowhere to be found.

Both Ferrer, the former Bronx borough president, and Miller, the City Council speaker, are probable contenders in the 2005 mayoral race.

The big losers within the Top 10 were Jessica on the girls’ side and Christopher on the boys’.

Jessica dropped three places – from fifth to eighth, while Christopher fell from No. 3 to No. 5.

Ethnic and racial disparities were evident throughout.

Melanie debuted as the 10th-most popular baby name for Hispanic girls, without appearing on any other list.

Rachel was third-most favored for white girls. But the name didn’t make the cut for any other group.

Jason was No. 1 among Asian boys – again without standing on any other list.

The list of most popular baby names is published each year as part of the Health Department’s Annual Summary of Vital Statistics, which has been issued since 1932. The agency also compiles the city’s most popular pet names. (p. 7 metro)